A Rogue Red Dragon -- Part I I

Part II - The Fight

As BlackHawke and his son rode that morning closer to the lair they saw the scorched farms and desolation. BlackHawke shook his head, "son, it isn't fair, these poor farmers lost everything and many their lives all because a dragon wanted to clear out the area around his lair." Llew nodded "but father is there any other way beside slaying this dragon?" BlackHawke shook his head no. "It seems that once a dragon starts this behavior there is no choice, right or wrong, it is all we can do." BlackHawke rides a bit more thinking of his dragon friends at home, glad they were his friend and silently wishing there was a way to change these giants and the way they act when they get labeled as a rogue dragon. Looking at his son, he speaks softly "remind me when we get home to ask T`Shel if there is anything we can do to change these rogue dragons. It would be better than slaying them." The two rode along silently each consumed by their thoughts. The most overriding one was that very soon they would be facing a large red dragon.

Once at the Lair, Llew took the ox and headed for the cave opening as BlackHawke climbed above the opening dragging the lance. Reaching the top, the lance was positioned so that when it was released it would slide down the mountain impaling itself into whatever got in its way. With this completed, BlackHawke waved to his son to position the bait. Llew moved apprehensively to the cave mouth pulling the reluctant ox behind him. Llew's knuckles were white as he gripped the hilt of his sword. Ready to fight if the dragon decided to take an early stroll. Kneeling, Llew drove the stake into the ground, the smell coming from the lair was bad and took his best concentration to keep from being overcome by it.

Things were progressing smoothly, the lance was being aimed and made ready and Llew was getting the ox set when the dragon changed their plans. Llew froze as a roar came from the cave and the noise filling his hears said "he is big". Looking to BlackHawke, Llew tried to yell, but the words were caught as before him the head of the Dragon came out of the cave. Quickly grabbing the sword, he took a defensive stand ready to fight for his life. "Run Llew" shouted BlackHawke. BlackHawke heard the noise and quickly moved to launch the lance but stopped. His son's position was such if the lance missed or glanced off the dragon, it would get him. Fear filled BlackHawke's eyes as he tried to find a solution before Llew was hurt. Llew jumped up .. sword ready .. "Come on Red Dragon, I am ready", he shouted but his heart trembled .. the heat from the dragons breath building and the stench of death filled the air. BlackHawke stood there. "Should I jump and try and drive my sword into his brain or throw the sword and hope for a quick kill." "I must distract him and give Llew time."

At that moment the first of several fireballs exploded next to Llew knocking him to the ground. Stunned, Llew struggled back to his feet, sword still in his hand. The Red Dragon slowly turned his head to the attacker above him and started the regeneration of his fireball. BlackHawke seeing this move scrambled across the rocks seeking cover. Llew sensing the distraction charged forward. With determination in his eyes and some luck, Llew slashed the giant in the neck exposed by being turned towards his father. Llew, surprised by the quickness of the Dragons movement was knocked against the cave wall by the Dragon's head turning around seeking the object that caused the pain in his soft skin of the neck.

Llew's eyes bulge as he slams into the rocks, his breath knock out and his knees weak from the force of the hit. Knowing he lucked out, BlackHawke rushed back to the lance and swinging his dagger and releasing it. The lance slides true and accurate. With deadly force the lance struck the dragon squarely on the head and impaling the dragon. With pain and rage, the Dragon starts thrashing about trying to get hold of his attackers and the object burning in his head. Llew stands there against the cave wall, his leg trapped as the dragon moves many of the loose boulders with his thrashing about. Fireballs fly in numerous directions as the dragon vents his anger. Llew continues to stab the dragon when ever his movement brings him into range.

BlackHawke grabs a small tree limb as he tries to leverage a boulder so it will fall on the dragon. "If I can move this, it will do some damage when it hits" thought BlackHawke. Just as the boulder moves, BlackHawke feels his side rips open, a searing burning pain fills his mind. "My side" he cries. Slowly with what seems an eternity, Llew frees his leg and slides along the wall trying to get some distance from the thrashing and flailing dragon. BlackHawke slips to his knees, lightheaded from the flash of pain. Putting his shoulder to the limb, BlackHawke pushes with his full weight, "I have to do this" he grunts. The boulder moves slowly, gaining momentum as it starts to tumble down the mountain.

Collapsing on the ground .. BlackHawke watches the boulder strike the lance, driving it deeper and to the point of making the lance go into the hard ground. Llew watches in amazement as the boulder hits the lance and stakes the dragon to the ground. Now the Dragon is impaled but his tail and body move uncontrollably. Several times Llew dodges the thrashing tail as BlackHawke feebly calls out "Watch out". BlackHawke laying there holding onto a crack in a stone ledge fights to remain conscious as the pain in his side sears through his body.

Llew stands there hacking at the dragon trying to get the killing blow before he is beat to death with that tail. ""Llew" cries BlackHawke coughing and a thin wisp of blood darkens his lips. Llew looks up as he sees BlackHawke pull the Dragonslayer from the sheath and slide it down towards him. "Here son, this will do the job" BlackHawke half coughs and talks. Llew picks up the sword and mulls "This is so light how can it do any damage, mine is heavy and just bounces off." Llew swings the sword and his eyes open wide as the blade slices through the scales with seemingly little effort. Seeing this Llew swings harder and faster ..each blow hastening the death to this giant of a dragon.

While Llew was doing this, BlackHawke let his grip go and slide down the face of the mountain. Each bounce and rock sending white hot pains through his body. Just as BlackHawke hits the bottom he sees the Dragon roll to his side, his neck nearly severed and his head straight up as it is still impaled on the lance. As the Dragon dies, Llew stands there covered in blood, pieces of dragon scale and amazed at the sword and how it so easily sliced through the dragons coarse and thick scales. After the initial shock of the fight dies off, Llew call to his father. "Father, the Red Dragon is dead".

BlackHawke by now had climbed to his feet, each breath and step hurting. "Well done Llew ... You are now a Dragonslayer." Llew smiles "anyone can be with this sword ... it was very easy." BlackHawke shakes his head, "Nay son, to kill a Dragon is not done by strength but by thinking." "Remember son, these are noble animals and we have many friends in Camelot who are Dragons." "I have only ever killed the rogue ones ... the ones who threaten or destroy people. And I hope you will live by the same code." Llew smiles, the excitement of his first kill fresh in his mind. BlackHawke continues to tell his son things to think about as he goes about collecting certain things. Nearly an hour later, Llew and BlackHawke sit outside the cave resting and basking in the feelings that permeates the air as father and son have faced death together and lived.

BlackHawke and Llew spend the rest of the afternoon making a sled for each of the ox and then loading treasure from the Lair. "Rest son," BlackHawke exclaims, "we will ride all night." BlackHawke rests against the cave wall, drawing his furs close, his eyes masking the pain filling his body. Wondering if he will ever fight again, for unknown to his son he was unable to grip the sword hilt tight enough to control it. Llew replies "yes father, I will" as he continues to move about, still excited and pumped from the days fight. BlackHawke closes his eyes saying a silent prayer, "Lord, let us return safely and not have to fight anyone."